Social Value Ideas for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Implement per paper

Cabinet to support the investment and implement the process outlined in the accompanying paper; coordination between Children's Services and Finance is required.

“"I ask Cabinet to support the investment and propose the process for implementation as outlined in the paper provided."”

Universal provision approach

Policy emphasis shifts toward universal access to support (not means-tested), addressing cost-of-living pressures and reducing stigma around receiving help.

“"This additional investment has been designed to be universal and ensuring that all children are ready for school. We recognize that the cost of livin…”

GCA funding approved

Cabinet approves investment of up to £2,800,000 in the Great Childhood Ambition strategy for 2025-26 to fund universal school readiness initiatives (uniform vouchers and Year 11 revision packs) across…

“"invest up to 2,800,000 as part of our GCA strategy, focusing on ensuring children are ready for school and feel a sense of belonging. This additional…”

Uniform vouchers and Year 11 packs

Procurement opportunities to supply school uniforms and revision materials, with delivery via family vouchers and packs to schools; bespoke SEN PACs to support children with complex needs.

“"uniform vouchers will be posted to all families to then claim with ID at the post office. Year 11 packs will be delivered to Barnsley Schools, who wi…”

Cost Pressures - £14m by Year End

Finance forecast shows circa £14,000,000 cost pressure by year end, with a £5m deterioration since Q2; ongoing pressures in children's social care and rising costs in adult social care.

“The current financial forecast is for cost pressure in the region of £14,000,000 by the year end. This is a further deterioration of £5,000,000 compar…”

Budget savings challenge

The financial outlook is challenging and the MTFS proposes approaches to delivering required savings over the next few years.

““The financial outlook remains challenging and consequently the proposal has also set out a proposed approach to delivering the required savings over …”

Council tax package

Budget proposes 3.4% council tax increase for 2026-27 (2% for adult social care, 1.4% for other services) to manage pressures; translates to around £1.25 per week for many households.

“3.4% increase proposed in twenty sixtwenty seven, 2% for adult social care, 1.4% for other council services, one of the lowest in the country. When po…”

End-year cost pressures

Forecast cost pressure in the region of £9,000,000 by the year end, a £5,000,000 deterioration from Q1. Pressures within children's social care continue to rise, with emerging pressures in adult socia…

“The current financial forecast is for cost pressure in the region of £9,000,000 by the year end.”

SEND Places Plan

Proposal to establish up to 45 additional SEND primary phase places via a strategic partnership with a local academy trust, with a satellite provision at Mill Primary School run by HCAT. The plan incl…

“The Cabinet paper sets out a proposal supported by a strategic business case to establish up to 45 additional SEND primary phase places... The recomme…”

SEND capacity investment

Cabinet urged to approve increased SEND capacity to meet statutory requirements and demand; includes support for hearing/visual impairment and a move to educate locally in mainstream education to redu…

“The proposal aims to invest in supporting children to be educated locally in mainstream education and ultimately decrease the DSG high needs block def…”

SEND cost savings

Cost savings associated with moving from external INMSS placements to local SEND provision: INMSS place costs £61,500 per pupil/year vs state-funded special schools £20,900, a saving of £37,600 per pu…

“The Institute of Financial Studies say that an INMSS place costs on average £61,500 per pupil per year, and state funded special schools average £20,9…”